The Energon Pub

[Va'al]

I'll just leave this here....
http://www.shortpacked.com/2011/comic/b ... rl/glitch/

As Much as I don't always agree with Willis, that strip is a good indication of the type of attitude and reactions that this fandom (and unfortunately a lot of geek culture up to now) has when it comes to sexuality, gender and other 'controversial' issues.

Using the 'joke' there was a 'glitch in the Allspark' makes it look as though Knockout's behaviour is something abnormal, or due to a fault. If this is paired up with the interpretation that he may or may not be gay, what does that tell us? And what does the fact that everyone laughed at it tell us about the audience?

And you know, this is the first time this has happened that I'm OK with it and actually like it. Bout time we got ourselves a gay TF, after all, there are loads of homosexuals in our fandom and it's about time they get "their" TF.

I know you've been out of the loop for a bit, but there was also a bit of an outcry from certain parts of the fandom when the MTMTE Chromedome-Rewind relationship was brought to light (and some people still have problems with it).

(But good reply to G1 Smoketreader.)


I am quite pleased when these issues come up in a fanbase as conservative as the one for Transformers, and a lot of other comics too, as it forces them to be discussed.

[njb902]

It's just unfortunate that some of us are not more tolerant.

[Dead Metal]

And you know, this is the first time this has happened that I'm OK with it and actually like it. Bout time we got ourselves a gay TF, after all, there are loads of homosexuals in our fandom and it's about time they get "their" TF.

I know you've been out of the loop for a bit, but there was also a bit of an outcry from certain parts of the fandom when the MTMTE Chromedome-Rewind relationship was brought to light (and some people still have problems with it).

(But good reply to G1 Smoketreader.)


I am quite pleased when these issues come up in a fanbase as conservative as the one for Transformers, and a lot of other comics too, as it forces them to be discussed.

What's that with Chromedome and Rewind?
When did this happen? And what is it, I read the comics from the trades now so I'm not up to date with them.

[Va'al]

And you know, this is the first time this has happened that I'm OK with it and actually like it. Bout time we got ourselves a gay TF, after all, there are loads of homosexuals in our fandom and it's about time they get "their" TF.

I know you've been out of the loop for a bit, but there was also a bit of an outcry from certain parts of the fandom when the MTMTE Chromedome-Rewind relationship was brought to light (and some people still have problems with it).

(But good reply to G1 Smoketreader.)


I am quite pleased when these issues come up in a fanbase as conservative as the one for Transformers, and a lot of other comics too, as it forces them to be discussed.

What's that with Chromedome and Rewind?
When did this happen? And what is it, I read the comics from the trades now so I'm not up to date with them.

I'll say nothing else, then. Sorry for the minor spoiler!

[Dead Metal]

Already ruined it, I went and did a google search :'(

Would you mind directing me towards the reaction to that? can't seem to find any of it apart from that one thread on tfw.

[Va'al]

Already ruined it, I went and did a google search :'(

Would you mind directing me towards the reaction to that? can't seem to find any of it apart from that one thread on tfw.

You weak-willed German.

Some threads from the IDW boards:
MTMTE 16 preview and review. Though I expect it to be pretty much the same as the TFW thread, from what I've seen.


As for the topic at hand - I had no idea there would be no episode last night.
Why the decision? Is it only a one-week break, or more?

[njb902]

I believe it's back the 28th.

[Va'al]

I believe it's back the 28th.

Fneh. Oh well.

[Dead Metal]

Already ruined it, I went and did a google search :'(

Would you mind directing me towards the reaction to that? can't seem to find any of it apart from that one thread on tfw.

You weak-willed German.

Some threads from the IDW boards:
MTMTE 16 preview and review. Though I expect it to be pretty much the same as the TFW thread, from what I've seen.


As for the topic at hand - I had no idea there would be no episode last night.
Why the decision? Is it only a one-week break, or more?

Thanks, can't seem to find any of the outcry, but I'll look deeper once I've read that issue just to make sure I don't spoil too much for myself, already spoiled a lot from digging.
Yup, I'm weak-willed

[Sabrblade]

Hey Dead Metal.

That last Seibertron.com Twincast Podcast was partly focused all around talking about "ReChrome". Here's the topic for it, with people's thoughts and reactions to it - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/twincast-podcast-episode-68-rechrome/27312/


As for the "Knock Out made a gay comment about Starscream's finish" talk, all he said was that he liked Starscream's paint job. Since they're robots, that's basically the equivalent of a human complimenting the clothes worn by another human. How is liking the attire worn by another person gay?

Or, let's take a look at his line "I have always admired your lustrous finish." Well, I myself have admired this lustrous finish, but does that make me suddenly gay for Primus?

[njb902]

Hey Dead Metal.

That last Seibertron.com Twincast Podcast was partly focused all around talking about "ReChrome". Here's the topic for it, with people's thoughts and reactions to it - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/twincast-podcast-episode-68-rechrome/27312/


As for the "Knock Out made a gay comment about Starscream's finish" talk, all he said was that he liked Starscream's paint job. Since they're robots, that's basically the equivalent of a human complimenting the clothes worn by another human. How is liking the attire worn by another person gay?

Or, let's take a look at his line "I have always admired your lustrous finish." Well, I myself have admired this lustrous finish, but does that make me suddenly gay for Primus?

It sounded like a pick up line.

[Sabrblade]

It sounded like a pick up line.

Pretty odd choice for one to say a "pick up line" during a moment one thinks could be his last.

Seemed more to me like he was giving Screamer an honest compliment since he just got one from him.

Compare with the Spongebob episode with "Hash-Slinging Slasher" in which, at the point when Spongebob and Squidward believe they're both about to be killed, they both decide to admit something honest and decent to each other in their final moment.

[njb902]

It sounded like a pick up line.

Pretty odd choice for one to say a "pick up line" during a moment one thinks could be his last.

Seemed more to me like he was giving Screamer an honest compliment since he just got one from him.

Compare with the Spongebob episode with "Hash-Slinging Slasher" in which, at the point when Spongebob and Squidward believe they're both about to be killed, they both decide to admit something honest and decent to each other in their final moment.

I've heard weirder in the middle of combat, so I'm still going with a pick up line.

[VirusCarnage]

God is this conversation about knockout being gay really necessary?

[Sabrblade]

He's obviously flamboyant and effeminate, and throws the audience a bone often with his unique behavior and mannerisms, but that is not enough to pin him down as being gay.

[King Kuuga]

We will never definitively pin him down as gay, since we don't know much about Cybertronian sexuality. The only character in this show we can definitively say is gay is Alpha Takei-rion by association with his actor.* But Knock Out displays mannerisms stereotypically associated with gay males: effeminism, flamboyance, a high regard for his appearance and that of others, unusual closeness with other "male" teammates that seems different from just friendship or camaraderie. Is it grasping at straws? Maybe. But we could use more gay characters in fiction to diversify things and spark interesting new dynamics and teach social lessons about what sexuality is and isn't. Knock Out provides hints of an opportunity, and in a franchise like this, that's plenty.

*Disclaimer: THIS IS A JOKE.

[njb902]

God is this conversation about knockout being gay really necessary?

Why shouldn't it be? Regardless of if it's true or not it makes for an interesting debate.

[Dead Metal]

Hey Dead Metal.

That last Seibertron.com Twincast Podcast was partly focused all around talking about "ReChrome". Here's the topic for it, with people's thoughts and reactions to it - http://www.seibertron.com/transformers/news/twincast-podcast-episode-68-rechrome/27312/


As for the "Knock Out made a gay comment about Starscream's finish" talk, all he said was that he liked Starscream's paint job. Since they're robots, that's basically the equivalent of a human complimenting the clothes worn by another human. How is liking the attire worn by another person gay?

Or, let's take a look at his line "I have always admired your lustrous finish." Well, I myself have admired this lustrous finish, but does that make me suddenly gay for Primus?

Thanks for the link, will check it out.

The delivery, body language, reaction by Starscream and the way they acted after that line made it pretty clear that it was more than just "Dude! Nice cloths man!"

Then yes, they thought they where going to die, which is often used to come out with the truth, here's an example with priests who're going to die in a plane crash:


Then there is the moment with Megatron in Plus One
"So go on, Big M, tell me you love me more than Starscream."
Megatron can't reply due to the com link being down
"Too familiar?"

And we all know you're super gay for Primus

[Nemesis Maximo]

While I enjoyed the return of Airachnid to the show, I'm worried they're creating too many threads to wrap up at the end of the show.

[njb902]

Unless they continue the prime story in another series.

[Dead Metal]

Unless they continue the prime story in another series.

Which I'm pretty sure they're planing to do.

They did say that they have 65 episodes planed and that they would make more should it be successful enough, adding to that this is part of Aligned which is supposed to last to at least 2020.
Plus this is pretty standard attire for a show, leave a few very interesting plot threads unresolved to spark up interest and have a higher chance of continuing to do more.

Then there is the fact that Hasbro has to change the name of the line every year or so to prevent Toy stores from not ordering more product, which is why Season 3 is called "Beast Hunters" and why Armade year two was sold under "Transformers Armada: Unicron Battles".

The next installment might not be called Transformers Prime, but will likely take place right after Prime, or a few months/ years later.
It will likely premier, just like Prime and Animated, around X-Mas next year, with the show debuting proper March 2015. That way Hasbro can concentrate on the toys for TF4 for the majority of next year, coming out with the new show and toy line at the time every one is sick of the Movie toys.

[G1 Smoketreader]

But going by your logic of homosexuality being a "life-choice", wouldn't a cartoon in which a character says he's gay because he wants to be gay not be the real "threat", since then he could become a role model and influence them into taking on his decisions?

Would you prefer a world that cannot agree as to whether or not God exists be filled with Kids shows where characters state "I'm Gay because God made me that way" and there is no further discussion?

[njb902]

But going by your logic of homosexuality being a "life-choice", wouldn't a cartoon in which a character says he's gay because he wants to be gay not be the real "threat", since then he could become a role model and influence them into taking on his decisions?

Would you prefer a world that cannot agree as to whether or not God exists be filled with Kids shows where characters state "I'm Gay because God made me that way" and there is no further discussion?

I'm not sure this is a "if this, then that" kind of situation.

[Dead Metal]

But going by your logic of homosexuality being a "life-choice", wouldn't a cartoon in which a character says he's gay because he wants to be gay not be the real "threat", since then he could become a role model and influence them into taking on his decisions?

Would you prefer a world that cannot agree as to whether or not God exists be filled with Kids shows where characters state "I'm Gay because God made me that way" and there is no further discussion?

Why do you automatically assume that he would say "I'm gay because God made me that way"?
Knockout has so far shown to not believe in any of the mythological aspects of his society, and again in this very episode with his "This so-called 'blood of Unicron'" remark. As far as Knockout is concerned it was the Allspark that gave him live, that is if you seriously want to defend the novels, and not Primus, and if he daubs all the other mythical aspects of his society, I believe he'll also not believe in Primus having become the Allspark/ Core of Cybertron.

It's far more likely that if he ever states he where gay, after all so far there is no official in your face confirmation for that, a much more likely version would be "I'm gay because that's how I was made".

Just like a human would say "That's how I was born". It's as simply as that.

And even if he stated that "I'm gay because Primus made me that way", I would have no problem with that, because as previously established Primus does exist in this series. And on top of that Primus is not "God", he's the creator of the Transformers, so he might be a "god" but not "The God".

And why would it be a problem if a character would say "I'm gay because God made me that way"? I mean there are plenty of people of believe in one god or the other, and if God really does exist, then well, he made the gays as well.

Edit:
Also, it took you that long to come up with that as a rebuttal?

[Shadowman]

Anyone making popcorn? I could really go for some popcorn.